LilNell

As far as costs go many community colleges offer dual admissions to schools for your BSN. I am graduating in May and start my BSN in the summer with NJCU which is a one-year program. So if you start traditionally it will only take me 3 years as opposed to 4. And hopefully for the last year I will be working.

I'm in a LPN/RN bridge program in NJ. The bridge program was completed over the summer and gave you the first year (17 credits) in the nursing program. After that we had two nursing courses in the fall and spring. I have just completed the fall semster.

There is no real difference except that you are now viewing everything through new lens as the RN and not as support to the RN. But as for as how the site is set up, it looks the same.

I'm graduating in May with my ADN and this is what scares me the most. Were you ever able to find a job?

If you are not far from NY they still offer temporary working permits there.

I would not recommend going to Lincoln Tech or any other private school for LPN. If you really want to go for LPN I would go to a county vocational school in Piscataway or Neptune. Their programs only cost 5,000 for the whole year. In New Jersey I know as a new grad LPN with no experience it is brutal getting a job even with CNA experience. I'm not sure how it is in PA. Some community colleges also have LPN programs and with those at least you can use the credits toward a future ADN or BSN degree.

When you start the program you will meet people and start a study group. They also have prn pals which are students from the upper classes that will help you with material that you need help reinforcing. Good luck!!

I graduated from a LPN school in New Jersey and was unable to find a job. Even worse since I am licensed no jobs were willing to hire me at a position that is below it. Right now I'm in a RN program graduating in May. My advice in the NY/NJ area just go for your BSN and work as a PCA in a hospital.

I think William Paterson and Caldwell are the two other colleges that are close to you. Here's a link for other BSN colleges in NJ. http://www.nj.gov/lps/ca/nursing/bacschools.pdf

@ futurepractitioner1, I wanted to transfer to Rutgers but I was made aware that you can no longer transfer into the program unless you are currently an RN or have a bachelor degree. What campus are you applying to?

I did what you are doing. I got my LPN and am currently enrolled in the Brookdale bridge program. Hopefully graduating this May . The good thing is that you can work while you wait. The only bad thing is that LPN positions in central NJ for new graduates are very limited. Good Luck.

I think they raised their prices to 25,000 for the program. County vo-tech are way better options and a lot more affordable.

I just went through the Brookdale LPN to RN program and it was great. 6 weeks and I already completed the first 3 nursing semesters. The waiting list is between 1 - 2 years.

Hi. I'm starting the LPN Bridge program this May at Brookdale. Did you go through it yet. If you have, do I need to buy the books from the first two nursing classes? Thanks in advance.